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Paul O’Grady
Little Mix
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Tributes paid to ‘unrelentingly kind’ Cambridge graduate who has died A ‘courageous’ Cambridge graduate who was captain of his college rugby team has died from a rare cancer age 23. Sam Fitzsimmons died at home in Prestbury, Cheshire, surrounded by his family on May this year, less than two years after he was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a cancer that affects bones, or the tissue around bones, in children and young people. Sam leaves behind his parents Catherine and Dominic, and his younger sister Rachel. Sam began to experience severe pain during his last year at St John’s and he was very ill during his final exams and had to miss his original graduation ceremony. He was eventually diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma in July 2018 and although he initially responded well to treatment, the outlook was bleak. “He always made us laugh, and in true character, throughout his illness, Sam supported us, not the other way round. I know I speak for the countless friends that love Sam, when I say we will always carry him with us in
Sam, fifth from the right, with a group of friends on the evening of the St John’s College May Ball in 2018
Sam during his first year at St John’s College, University of Cambridge
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Little Mix to star in new TV show
Telephone: 0161 998 4786/07779 300162
£589m to kickstart rail upgrades across the North
Over £600m worth of investment in northern rail network will drive improvements across the region, including release £589m for work to upgrade and electrify Transpennine main line New Council, led by Grant Shapps as Northern Powerhouse Minister, will give northern leaders ‘direct line’ to ministers to accelerate transport projects Body’s work to drive progress across the North will be supported by DfT staff based in northern cities £589m to kickstart work on the Transpennine main line between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester has been confirmed today by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps alongside the establishment of a new Northern Transport Acceleration Council, dedicated to accelerating vital infrastructure projects and better connecting communities across the North’s towns and cities. The most congested section of the route will be doubled from two to four tracks, allowing fast trains to overtake slower ones, improving journey times and reliability for passengers across the North. Most of the line will be electrified, and our ambition is to go further. Full electrification, digital signalling, more multi-tracking and improved freight capacity are now under consideration as part of an “Integrated Rail Plan” due to report in December. Those improvements would allow all-electric services between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York and Newcastle; bring longer and more frequent trains; and create significantly more local capacity along the line. Upgrades to allow more freight on the route, replacing thousands of diesel lorry journeys with electric freight trains, will also be considered in the Plan. Work is also under way to tackle the bottlenecks at either end of the route, without which the upgrade’s potential cannot be fulfilled. Leeds station is being resignalled and a new platform is being built. In central Manchester, development funding was awarded last month to tackle rail congestion. The Council launched today will ensure northern leaders have a direct line to ministers and has been formed with the desire to cut bureaucracy and red tape so passengers can get the modern, reliable transport network they deserve as quickly as possible.
Little Mix announced the news today via their social media platforms with a first-look video from the show, and a teaser look at the set. Perrie says: “We can’t wait for everyone to finally see what we’ve been working on because it’s so good! This show is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time.” Jade adds: “The auditions were great fun to film. So much talent auditioned for the show that it was genuinely tough to decide who should go through. There are lots of twists and turns.” Little Mix The Search will see the multi-award winning group (Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock) creating bands and becoming mentors to a new wave of talent. The singers who make it into new bands will live together and gain access to Little Mix’s inner circle who have contributed to their phenomenal success, including vocal coaches, song writers
Key report - Over 55’s about cost of care
Over 55s are more concerned than ever about how they will meet the cost of care, reveals a new report ‘Tackling the Care Question’ from Key The report asked councils in England, Scotland and Wales about the support they provide for care and found they are providing around 10% less funding for those needing long term care now than they were in the previous 12 months. Yet, Key’s research found that just one in five (20%) over 55s have made some financial provision to pay for care if the need it and a mere six percent estimate they are wealthy enough to fund their own care – half the proportion compared to a year ago (13%). Additional findings include: 35% of over-55s are more worried than before about how to meet the cost of care in the future - a significant rise compared to 12 months ago when just a fifth (21%)were concerned 29% of over-55s now plan to use their homes to help them pay for care in the future (+10% from 19% in 2019) A quarter of people either don’t know how they would meet their care costs (15%) or wouldn’t be able to meet the costs (10%) Local authorities in London are the most likely to say they provide full funding, with 52% of applicants fully funded
Strategy
As part of the government’s wider strategy to level up communities and strengthen devolution, the Council’s work will engage with Department for Transport (DfT) staff based in northern cities and dedicated to delivering for the North. This follows the announcement of a range of investments to level-up infrastructure across the North including £20m to deliver infrastructure renewals on the Tyne and Wear Metro, following £15m announced to upgrade Horden, Darlington and Middlesbrough stations. Transport Secretary and Northern Powerhouse Minister Grant Shapps said: “People across the North rightly expect action, progress and ambition, and this government is determined to accelerate improvements as we invest billions to level up the region’s infrastructure. “We are determined to build back better at pace, and this new council will allow us to engage collectively and directly with elected northern leaders to build the vital projects the region is crying out for.” The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said: “Levelling-up opportunity will be key in our recovery from Coronavirus - and our longterm success will rely on having world-class infrastructure in all parts of the country. The Transpennine rail upgrade shows we are delivering on our promises to the North.” Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “This feels like a gear change from the government in the delivery of transport improvements in the North of England and I welcome the new drive that the Transport Secretary is bringing to this.
Crucial
“People here deserve a modern, reliable public transport system and it is my hope that the Northern Transport Acceleration Council will bring forward the day when that is a reality. It is crucial that the Council listens to the voice of the North and is accountable to people here through their elected politicians and bodies such as Transport for the North. “The additional funding for the Transpennine Route Upgrade is a welcome sign of intent from the government. The North has long argued for the existing scheme to be upgraded to bring the full range of passenger and freight benefits and we are glad that the government has listened to this. But it is important to be clear that upgrading the existing railway between Manchester and Leeds does not diminish the need for a new line in Northern Powerhouse Rail nor does it solve the capacity issues in central Manchester which require a separate solution. “As we look to recover from Covid-19 and build back better, I am ready to work in constructive partnership with the government to get visible transport improvements as quickly as possible. My top priority is to build a London-style, integrated public transport system in Greater Manchester and I look forward to working with the Secretary of State on making this vision a reality.”
MP urges Government to abandon plan to cut free TV licences for local residents
The Government’s plan to end free TV licences for people over 75 has been challenged in Parliament by Stockport’s MP. Speaking in an Urgent Question on licence fee exemptions Navendu Mishra told the Minister of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport that figures provided by the House of Commons Library forecasted that 3,190 households in Stockport would lose access to a free TV licence when the change is introduced on 1 August. In Parliament Mr Mishra said: “Research by the Library of the House has revealed that more than 3,000 households across my constituency of Stockport may lose access to their free TV licence as a result of the Government’s deal with the BBC. “With Charity Age UK describing the decision to axe the free licence as “a kick in the teeth for millions of over-75s who have had a torrid time during this crisis”, what message does the minister have for pensioners forced to take difficult decisions between their TV and other essentials like food and heating?”.
Check
In his response, Minister of State John Whittingdale encouraged those who may be entitled to pension credit and are not in receipt of it to check whether they are eligible for it. The plans will see an end to TV licences for most over-75s at the end of the month, meaning more than three million households will now be asked to start paying the £157.50 fee. Speaking after the debate, Mr Mishra said: “The Minister failed to heed the concerns of thousands of my constituents in Stockport, many of which have written to me to express their fears that they will not be able to afford the fee if it is introduced as they are already struggling to make ends meet. “Disappointingly, the Minister dismissively suggested that the loss of TV licence for those who are in some of the most vulnerable circumstances was little more than a “marketing tool” for identifying those who require pension credit.”
Telephone: 0161 998 4786 / 07779 300162
Dental Dilemmas
Your monthly dental column by Dr Naveed Patel & Dr Imran Chhadat 284, Adswood Road, Stockport, SK3 8PN Tel: 0161 419 9028
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How to improve my smile
Over the past month we have been asked this question on many occasions, the New Year seems to highlight the thought of positive changes. A healthy bright smile will improve your confidence and self-esteem. There are various dental treatments that can improve the aesthetics of a smile however these are some of the treatments frequently used at Precision Dental Clinic.
Q: What are my options to improve my smile? A: Tooth whitening, it is safe, simple but very effective way to improve the colour of your teeth. There are various methods of whitening teeth both internally and externally. The most effective way to whiten teeth is a bespoke tray system as you can control the whiteness and you will always have the trays to reinforce the whiteness in the future. Invisalign clear aligner orthodontic system that progressively moves the teeth into the perfect position. It is done with clear transparent aligners that are changed at regular intervals. Invisalign is a none invasive treatment and is a perfect solution for patients that have tooth crowding or spacing. Veneers and crowns are layers of porcelain that are bonded onto a prepared tooth. They provide high end cosmetic results as we can effectively design the size, shape and colour of the new teeth. Veneers and crowns are used for patients with broken, chipped and misshaped teeth. Any veneer or cosmetic dentistry requires skill and experience as the attention to detail of treatment has to be flawless throughout.
Dental implants are a fixed solution for patients with single or multiple missing teeth. Dental implants are titanium roots that surgically placed into the jaw bone, they are the closest option to a natural tooth. Dental implants will improve the function and aesthetics of your mouth and smile. Dental implants have improved the quality of life for millions of people. Patients no longer have to struggle with ill-fitting dentures, partial denture plates (removable teeth) and teeth no longer have to be unnecessarily drilled down to support conventional bridges. Dental Implants will make you smile with confidence again and let you eat the foods you want without worry. Always remember to brush your teeth twice a day, floss between teeth once a day, eat a balanced diet and limit between meal snacks, this will help ensure a beautiful smile for a lifetime. For more information regarding dental problems visit our website www. precisiondentalclinic.co.uk or for an appointment contact Precision Dental Clinic on 0161419 9028 or email us on info@precsiondentalclinic.co.uk
“Do You Love Me?” among top five questions dog owners in Stockport most want to ask their dogs
The UK’s largest dog welfare charity polled 2,000 dog owners and 73% of people in the North West said they wish their dog could talk, especially as 76% of owners say their dog surprises them at least once a week. Among the top questions owners in the area said they would most want to ask their dogs if they could talk were “are you happy” (62%), “how could I make your life happier” (44%), “do you understand me when I talk to you” (43%), “what do you dream about” (36%) and “do you love me” (38%)?
Tips
Dogs Trust has some top tips to show your pet pooches just how “paw-some” they are: 1. Have a treasure hunt – hide some of your dog’s favourite treats in different rooms around the house and see how quickly they manage to locate them. 2. Play their favourite game – Catch? Fetch? Tug of war? They’re all great fun to your dog! Show them some love by spending time playing their favourite game with them. 3. Make them their very smile - Dental hygiene is important ownSnuffle Mat! - A snuffle mat is an for dogs. Head to ouradvice page to enrichment toy that encourages your follow our helpful guide on how to dog to sniff and search out hidden brush their teeth. treats amongst the mat. 9. Buy your dog a new collar 4. Build them a Doggy Den - has – Your dog wears their collar 24/7, your dog’s bed been looking pretty so why not make sure it’s nice, well lived in recently? Create your comfortable ‘fetch’ing?! Headhere to furry friend a cosy, comfortable place get a personalised dog tag to complete to sleep. the look. 5. Teach them some new Treat tricks!With our easy to follow Dog 10. Make them a delicious treat! School videos or enrolling them in There are plenty of recipes for treats some classes. which can be eaten at all times of 6. Take your dog out on an the year on our website, including adventure to their favourite walking dog friendly pancakesand mince pies! location. Allow them to have a run Dawn Bishop, Dogs Trust around and really stretch their legs! Manchester Rehoming Centre 7. Teach your dog to treat bob! – Manager, said:“Dogs are such Keep your dog entertained with these wonderful characters and play such easy to make toys by following these a big part in our lives, and what’s simple instructions. clear from these statistics is that we 8. Give them a squeaky-clean want nothing more than to make our
dogs’ lives even happier.
Game
“Of course, every day should be love your pet day and there’s lots of different ways you can show your pet pooch just how much you love them from building them a doggy den to playing their favourite game. This Love Your Pet Day why not show some extra love to our rescue dogs as well and make some of their wishes come true by donating toys and treats to your local rehoming centre.” The charity also asked owners in the North West what they loved most about their dogs. How affectionate they are (57%), how much of a good companion they are (56%) and how much happier they make our own lives (54%) were among some of the main reasons why we can’t live without our four-legged friend.
Enjoy mature living with a difference at Sanctuary Wilmslow 4
Telephone: 0161 998 4786/07779 300162
Active over-55s looking for mature living with a difference can find their perfect home at an exclusive gated development in Wilmslow. Sanctuary Wilmslow hosts a collection of stunning two and three-bedroom cottages and apartments. This innovative concept from Jones Homes offers bespoke mature living for the active over 55s looking for something a little different. This unique development is the first in the UK to introduce the bespoke mature living concept pioneered by Jones Homes USA in Florida. Located in grounds off Coppice Way, Sanctuary Wilmslow is perfectly placed for those wishing to enjoy the wide choice of shopping, leisure and dining options which this desirable part of Cheshire has to offer. The homes at Sanctuary Wilmslow boast the high specifications and exemplary build quality for which Jones Homes is renowned, and each property has been designed to be adaptable to residents’ future needs, including the provision to install a lift. The development features modern bathrooms with Hansgrohe taps, Aqualisa showers and a range of Porcelanosa tiles, while the contemporary fitted kitchens come equipped with top of the range integrated appliances and quartz work surfaces included. In addition to the communal gardens at Sanctuary Wilmslow, many of the homes have their own private gardens, and all external maintenance of the grounds are taken care of by the Emerson management team – ensuring low maintenance, hassle-free living at its very best.
For more information about Sanctuary Wilmslow, visit jones-homes.co.uk
Telephone: 0161 998 4786 / 07779 300162
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Your Staycation Garden 6
Telephone: 0161 998 4786/07779 300162
The Gardening Column
During the summer your garden is an extra room that can be used on a daily basis – you just need to think about what kind of room you want … whether you want some additional play space, a home entertainment area or simply to attract wildlife, it’s easier than you might think to create the staycation garden of your dreams. First, have a bit of a tidy up. Clear away bits and pieces you no longer want or need to give the feeling of space and stop using parts of the garden as ‘storage’ areas for old or broken garden furniture, pots or playthings.
Backdrop
Talking with your mouth full or taking pictures of your food?
This may be the reason you’re not getting that second date Photo credit Suzy Hazelwood
New research reveals talking with your mouth full is considered the worst dining habit on a first date The top 10 worst dining faux pas you can make on a date, revealed Take this quiz to find out if you are the perfect diner New research reveals talking with your mouth full is considered the most off-putting dining habit on a first date, with over two thirds (69%) of Brits saying it’s a complete no go.
Offended
The study, which surveyed 2,002 Brits, explored exactly which bad dining habits offended the nation and in particular, which ones were considered notably offensive on a first date. While talking with your mouth full (69%) was crowned the worst habit, it was closely followed by eating with your mouth open (66%) and texting at the table (58%) with over half of Brits claiming to be offended. The top 10 most offensive dining habits people can do on first dates are: 1. Talking with their mouth full (69%) 2. Eating with their mouth open (66%) 3. Texting at the table (58%) 4. Facetiming/video calling at the table (57%) 5. Taking a phone call at the table (54%), Talking loudly at the table (54%) 6. Using social media at the table (53%) 7. Licking their knife (45%) 8. Uploading a picture of their food to social media (44%) 9. Taking food from your plate (41%) 10. Taking a photo of their food (40%) Texting wasn’t the only phone habit that made it into the top ten, with 57% saying they find FaceTiming/video calling at the table on a first date offensive, and over half (54%) adding taking a phone call into the mix.
Rude
Social media usage is also one to avoid when sat across from a potential significant other for the first time, with 53% of Brits labelling it as rude and 44% being particularly offended by people uploading a picture of their food onto social media during a date. Commenting on the findings, Interior Style Advisor at Furniture Choice, Rebecca Snowden says: “When on a first date, it’s important to make a good first impression but also to be yourself.. It’s evident from our research that daters are attracted to and are therefore more likely to see people again if they engage with them and don’t let their phones take their attention during the date. “While dining etiquette has evolved over time and has become a little more relaxed, particularly in more casual settings, daters should be mindful they’re carrying good table manners as to not put off any potential suitors from dining with them again.”
Next, have a look at you ‘garden room’ backdrop. Is there enough greenery and colour, or is it time to top up with a few plants that will provide a little bit of lushness and vibrancy? If you have a smaller garden, then think about using your walls and fences as extra growing space – ideal for wall hanging pots and pouches. Not only will this leave room on the ground for lounging or playing family games, it will create a natural, green wall that is easy to maintain and will last for a good few weeks and months.
Variety
You can still get a variety of plants that keep flowering well into late summer that add a touch of colour and drama. And if you plant some of them in pots and containers then you can move them around to create different zones. Try mixing Salvia and Japanese Anemone alongside Cosmos with its feathery leaves and saucer-like white and pink flowers. Geraniums (also known as Pelargonium) will keep flowering through to September/ October if you look after them. Growers from Pelargonium for Europe recommend regular deadheading and removing yellow or damaged leaves to ensure an extended flowering season.
Busy
To keep the kids busy, think about building a bug hotel. Safe hideaways can be hard for wildlife to find in some gardens, and what better use for all your garden waste – rotting branches, sticks, old bricks and stones? If you build it properly it could shelter anything from hedgehogs to toads, solitary bees to bumblebees and ladybirds. You can build your bug hotel at any time of year, but you may find you have most natural materials such as dry grass and hollow plant stems in late summer or early autumn.
Furniture
And finally, make sure you have the right furniture that lets you relax and enjoy your outside space. It might be some chairs and a table, some oversized outdoor cushions and rugs, a couple of sun loungers or a hammock. With a little clever thinking, there’s plenty of ways to produce the perfect living space for all the family without leaving the house. And whilst you are enjoying you newly created staycation haven, don’t forget that there are still a few jobs to be done in the garden when you have a moment! Here are some top tips for this month from the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)… • Deadhead flowering plants regularly • Watering - particularly containers and new plants • Collect seed from garden plants • Harvest any vegetables as they become ready • Keep ponds and water features topped up
Telephone: 0161 998 4786 / 07779 300162
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Finding the Mersey River in Stockport
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Telephone: 0161 998 4786/07779 300162
by Cllr Iain Roberts
Before the Merseyway Shopping Centre was build, Stockport had constructed a nice big road over the Mersey. Why? At the time (1930s) the Mersey was heavily polluted and ran down the backs of factories and warehouses. The road was widely seen as an improvement. Image Merseyway Shopping Centre was one of the first of its kind in the country - cutting edge, and replacing a busy dual-carriageway road with a popular pedestrianised mall. Mersey Square, which bridges the Mersey just outside the shopping centre, was also closed to most traffic during this period.
Open
So why not just open up the Mersey? The Council did a small section a few years back and it’s worth taking a look. First issue: the Mersey is a long way down. That’s great to stop flooding, not so great for lounging on the riverbank. How far down? I went under Merseyway in 2013 and here’s a photo I took. The windows on the left are just below street-level. Look to the right to see how much further down the Mersey is in normal times. Then there’s money. The mersey flows under some of the buildings as well as the walkway, so to uncover it you’d need to remove, or at least do major structural work, on some big buildings. I’ve very roughly marked the exposed Mersey and the mall walkway here. But I have some good news! After decades of under-investment by private owners, the Council bought Merseyway a few years ago. It’s much easier to demolish your own house than to demolish someone else’s. Sadly, some of the buildings that people think of as part of Merseyway are not, and are still privately-owned. That includes Primark and several others.
Stockport learner wins prestigious award
Uncover
So how might we uncover the Mersey? It would be a huge and expensive engineering project, but it’s doable. The larger shops could be turned around and accessed from Prince’s Street or Chestergate. Smaller shops relocated to those roads or the Underbanks. That would reduce the amount of retail space in the town (which is needed) and create the opportunity to build riverside apartments and offices, plus potentially opening up the river to more leisure uses. But remember that the river is still going to be a long way down! Is it possible financially? It would be a massive ask in a thriving city centre with high property values. Stockport is doing fine but it isn’t London. There are a huge number of landlords to co-ordinate, businesses to re-home, technical engineering issues to resolve etc. So, in conclusion, if I had a pound for everyone who’d suggested to me that we should open up the Mersey I’d be a rich man. And it is possible, but the piece of the jigsaw that’s always been missing is a way to pay for it. Anyone with £100m going spare, please let me know! Clarification: A few tweets back I said “That would reduce the amount of retail space in the town (which is needed)”. To avoid any confusion, it is the reduction that’s needed, not the retail space. Stockport’s retail area is almost certainly too large right now
A dogs life? In this brand new series Paul O’Grady catches up with the most memorable dogs from his eight years at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. As Paul is about to discover, leaving Battersea is just the start of the adventure for these amazing dogs.
Stockport College was awarded the prestigious bronze BTEC Award for performing arts. Alex Waddacor was recognised by teachers and peers at Stockport College partner, Debut Academy of Performing Arts, for her excellence in shows, contests and charity events, including first place in the United Kingdom Alliance competition for Street Dance. The dancing superstar is now treading the boards in London panto after accepting a fully-funded place at Masters Performing Arts College in Essex. Alex’s hard work and dedication was celebrated at the tenth anniversary of Pearson’s annual BTEC Awards hosted online on 25 June 2020 at 2pm. On winning her BTEC bronze, Alex said: “Oh wow!! This is amazing! I couldn’t have achieved any of this without the help of Debut. Thank you for making helping me to make my dreams come true.” The 2020 BTEC Awards comprised of 17 categories and was hosted by presenter of the United Stand, YouTube influencer and BTEC Ambassador, Flex, with awards presented by Double Olympic Gold medallist Max Whitlock as well as actress and former BTEC Drama student at The BRIT School, Kellie Shirley. The expert panel of judges made up of Pearson’s senior leadership team, journalists and external experts, carefully considered the nominees before deciding on the winners. Campus Principal James Scott said: “We’re all hugely proud of everything Alex has achieved at Stockport College and that she has been recognised at the BTEC awards. Alex is an exceptional student whose passion and commitment to her studies is truly inspirational. We’re delighted she has secured a place at Masters and wish her every success in the future.”
Covid-19: Your Rights When it Comes to Holiday Bookings Telephone: 0161 998 4786 / 07779 300162
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Booking a holiday gives us all something to look forward to. However, the coronavirus outbreak is causing major travel disruption around the globe and the government is advising against all non-essential travel indefinitely. With recent news that some companies are blocking refunds, what can you do if you have booked a future trip and have seen your plans altered or cancelled all together? What can you expect regarding your holiday, or your bookings, in terms of a refund? Ashlee Robinson, Associate, DAS Law, andThomas Pertaia, Legal Adviser, DAS Law explain what you need to know around your cancellation rights….
Holiday Bookings
I have booked a holiday. Should I cancel it? The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently advises against all non-essential overseas travel for British nationals for the foreseeable future. However, the advice does not extend to some countries. The full list of exempt countries and territories can be viewed on Gov.uk here. If it is cancelled, can I get a full refund? If the holiday you booked is cancelled you should be entitled to a refund. If you booked activities as part of the holiday and both the holiday and the activities are cancelled, you should also be entitled to a refund. Some firms may also offer a credit note, perhaps with an increased value, so it is worth discussing the options with your travel company. If refused, we would advise you to seek legal advice to discuss your particular circumstances. Instead of giving me my money back, I have been offered holiday vouchers or Refund Credit Note. Is it legal for the firm to do so? Can I refuse and demand for a full (cash) refund? If you booked a holiday and it is cancelled you may be offered a refund credit note or a voucher. However you are not obliged to accept it and are entitled to receive a full refund should you choose to. The refund should be provided within 14 days but, under current circumstances, it may be reasonable to allow the operator slightly more time for processing the refund. However, if the firm is behaving unreasonable you may wish to refer them to Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) open letter here which essentially advises on consumer right and the powers CMA has to take action against a firm acting unlawfully. Businesses acting unlawfully during COVID 19 can also be reported to CMA through an online portal What if I haven’t paid for the holiday in full yet? If the holiday is likely to be cancelled you should not be expected to make the full payment, only for you to be refunded shorty after. However, if the holiday is few months away and you have contractual commitments, you may be liable to pay. If so, it is advisable to speak with the firm to negotiate perhaps delaying the payment or seek legal advice on your specific situation. If you do decide to make a payment it would be advisable to pay by credit card to give you little bit more protection. What if the travel or holiday company goes bust? What are my rights and what should I do about my holiday booking? If you booked a holiday your money should be protected and details on making a claim should be laid out in the ATOL Certificate, which you would generally be provided with when you book your holiday. Also, if you paid by credit card and your holiday is more than £100 you may be able to make a claim against the credit card, commonly known as a s75 claim (Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974). Somewhat similar protection applies if you paid on debit card but, rather than this right being enshrined in law, it’s a voluntary scheme although most large banks have signed up to it. If the operator goes bust, contact your bank, unlike s75 there is no minimum spent on cashback claim. Also check if you have insurance in place that could perhaps assist.
I have purchased travel insurance for my summer holiday but it is now cancelled. Can I cancel my travel insurance and obtain a full refund? In this instance you should check the policy documentation on cancellation rights. Most insurance policies have a minimum 14 days cooling off period within which it can be cancelled free of charge provided you have not travelled and/or made a claim. My flights have been cancelled. Can I get any compensation? If an EU flight is cancelled due to Covid-19, there would be no right to compensation, as under EU rules Covid-19 would fall under extraordinary circumstances. However, you would be entitled to a replacement flight or your money back. However, it is important that you establish the reason for the cancellation of your flight as, if it is not due to Covid-19, then you may be entitled to compensation. I have train tickets and some countries e.g. France haven’t closed their borders. Does this mean I can still travel? The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently advises against all nonessential overseas travel for British nationals for the foreseeable future. However, the advice does not extend to some countries.
Lloyds Bank’s Business Barometer for July 2020 shows: · Overall confidence of firms in the North West rose 16 points in the past month to -15% · Firms’ confidence in their own business prospects was -20%, compared with -30% in June · A third of business leaders said their firm had no workers on the furlough scheme during July Business confidence in the North West rose 16 points during July to -15%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking. Companies in the North West reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month at -20%. When taken alongside their views of the economy overall, this gives a headline confidence reading of -15%. The Business Barometer questions 1,200 businesses monthly and provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide. The majority of firms continued to see demand negatively affected by coronavirus during July, with the picture holding steady month on month. 70% experienced a fall in demand for their products and services, down 5 points on the month before. Meanwhile, 7%
experienced an increase in demand, down four points month on June. When asked about job retention among firms with furloughed staff, only a third (32%) expect to retain more than 90% of their staff. A third (33%) of North West firms surveyed said they weren’t currently using the Job Retention Scheme. When asked about social distancing measures, more than half (58%) said they could, in theory, operate at full capacity while remaining COVID-secured, although a third (32%) said they couldn’t operate full within the rules. Of the 64% of businesses reporting disruption to their supply chain during July, 42% expected the situation to improve within six months, while only 7% expected it would take more than 12 months to return to normal levels. Martyn Kendrick, regional director for the North West at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “North West firms are edging closer towards having an optimistic outlook once again, as key sectors reopen post-lockdown and trading opportunities pick back up. “However, there remains a long road ahead to recovery. Lingering supply chain disruption and weakened demand are just two of many key challenges facing companies. We remain by the side of North West firms as they plan for the future.”
The full list of exempt countries and territories can be viewed on Gov.uk here. Will my travel insurance still cover me? This would largely depend on the terms of your insurance policy. It is best to check the terms and conditions of your policy cover.
Airbnb
Can I cancel my Airbnb reservation and get a full refund? Airbnb is operating an “extenuating circumstances policy” which in certain circumstances allows customers to get a refund though the policy rather than the hosts’ own cancelation policy. If you do not qualify under the policy it is advisable to contact the host to discuss a refund or seek legal advice on your particular set of circumstances. I still haven’t received a refund from a cancellation I made one month ago. How long does it take for me to get my money back? According to Airbnb, most refunds are processed within ten days. If you still have not received a refund then you may wish to chase this up and seek legal advice. As a customer, am I allowed to make an Airbnb booking? The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently advises against all non-
essential overseas travel for British nationals for the foreseeable future. However, the advice does not extend to some countries. The full list of exempt countries and territories can be viewed on Gov.uk here. Restrictions have been relaxed for traveling within the UK, thus staycations are no longer against government advice. I am an Airbnb host, can I keep letting out my second home as an Airbnb? As per the latest government guidance self-contained holiday accommodations can be let out in all parts of the UK. However, the guidance is slightly different depending on where the property is located in the UK. It is advisable that you consult the relevant guidance documents relevant to the location of the property. Some useful information relating to the hospitality and tourism sector can be found at: • England • Northern Ireland • Scotland • Wales Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance regarding rights and responsibilities and is not formal legal advice as no lawyerclient relationship has been created Photo credit: Anders Wideskoff
NORTH WEST FIRMS OPTIMISTIC IN JULY
National overview At national level, UK business confidence increased eight points to -22% during July. The North East was the most confident region at -3% followed by the West Midlands (-7%) and the North West (-15%). Wales and Scotland were the least confident with -31% and -37% respectively. Sectors In July, the retail sector increased 11 points to -12%, manufacturing increased 14 points to -21% and services rose 10 points to -26%. However, construction fell eight points to -22% after last month’s strong increase of 30 percentage points. Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist, Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “While the results suggest the economy is starting to see some improvement, economic confidence still remains in deep negative territory. The Government announcement of the slight easing of social distancing measures has now enabled over half of businesses to reach their capacity and resume their usual activities. However, how businesses will continue to respond to the Job Retention Scheme will be key in the coming months.”
Memories fade but photos stay forever 10
Telephone: 0161 998 4786/07779 300162
George Berry, a former pupil of Bramhall County Primary School, has kindly let us have copies of these photographs. Here’s what he’s written: Attached the photo and its back with the names. I am the middle of the 3 drummers in the back row. I was Peter Berry until I was about 16 when I was asked to use my second name George because there was already a Peter in 6 classics. There is no date but I was born in 1936 so it must be early 1940’s I guess. I’ve also found some Stockport Grammar School photos including one of form 1B dated 1947 again with the names on the back. We lived at 19 Waterloo Road and 53 Seal Road both of which have some stories attached to them if this would be of any interest. My family moved south when I was 15.
Do you know anybody featured in them? If so please let us know. Telephone: 07779 300162 Email: stockportmail@aol.com
Telephone: 0161 998 4786 / 07779 300162
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